Secret US plan for an open-ended military presence in Iraq

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http://www.theglobalreport.org/?section=news&news_section=10#Secret%20US%20plan%20for%20military%20future%20in%20Iraq

Secret US plan for military future in Iraq

By Seumas Milne

Apr. 8- A confidential draft agreement covering the future of US forces in Iraq, passed to the Guardian, shows that provision is being made for an open-ended military presence in the country.

The draft strategic framework agreement between the US and Iraqi governments, dated Mar. 7 and marked "secret" and "sensitive," is intended to replace the existing UN mandate and authorizes the US to "conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary for imperative reasons of security" without a time limit.

The authorization is described as "temporary" and the agreement says the US "does not desire permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq." But the absence of a time limit or restrictions on the US and other occupation forces in the country means it is likely to be strongly opposed in Iraq and the US.

Iraqi critics point out that the agreement contains no limits on numbers of US forces, the weapons they are able to deploy, their legal status or powers over Iraqi citizens, going far beyond long-term US security agreements with other countries. The agreement is intended to govern the status of the US military and other members of the multinational force.
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